Madonna to present Gucci Award for Women in Cinema

Madonna will present the first Gucci Award for Women in Cinema in Venice on Friday, during the city’s International Film Festival, an event to be held at the Hotel Cipriani and followed by a dinner.
The preceding night, Gucci creative director Frida Giannini will attend the screening of Madonna’s new film, 'W.E.' and host a private dinner for the pop icon, who wrote and directed the movie based on the relationship between Wallis Simpson and Edward, the Prince of Wales.
Gucci’s new annual award recognizes an outstanding artistic achievement by a woman in filmmaking, selected from categories ranging from director and actor to screenwriter and costume designer.
This year, nominees include Caroline Champetier, director of photography of 'Of Gods and Men', Jessica Chastain, actress in 'The Tree of Life', Federica Pontremoli, screenwriter for 'Habemus Papam', Nansun Shi, producer of 'Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame', and Athina Tsangari, director and producer of 'Attenberg' - all recognised for their outstanding work in the past year.
The jury, led by Giannini, includes Robin Wright, James Franco and Valeria Golino. Gucci will donate $25,000 to the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in the name of the recipient of the award.

From WWD.com

Madonna 2012 Calendar - Cover Art Revealed

Madonna.com gave a fans a sneak peek at the cover art for Madonna's 2012 official calendar.

The picture is from the 2008 Vanity Fair cover photographed by Steven Meisel.

Thanks to Med-Jay

Madonna's Sex most sought after out-of-print book

Madonna's explicit book Sex is once again America's most sought after out-of-print title of the year, according to BookFinder's annual report.
The graphic coffee-table book, featuring - in the words of BookFinder, 'photos of the Material Girl, without the material' - has been one of the most popular out-of-print titles in the US for years and a collector's item since it was first published in 1992. 'Since Madonna is never one to do something twice, and the fact that the once highly controversial book is less edgy than it once was leads us to guess that Sex will remain out of print,' predicted the book search engine, a subsidiary of AbeBooks, last year.
BookFinder has tracked the most searched for out-of-print titles in America over the last 12 months for its annual report, which sees romantic suspense author Nora Roberts's novel Promise Me Tomorrow come in second. The prolific author has 'actively persuaded her loyal fanbase to avoid this early novel for years', said BookFinder, with a used bookshop likely to be 'the only place you will find this title' these days.
Out-of-print titles by Stephen King, Johnny Cash, Ray Bradbury, Carl Sagan, CS Lewis and Philip K Dick also appear on the list, with more esoteric offerings also flying high: knitting supremo Alice Starmore's Tudor Roses, featuring 'sweater designs inspired by the Tudor royals', was also much in demand, while Sarah Bradford's 1989 biography of George VI, The Reluctant King, 'shot into steady demand' following the success of the Colin Firth film The King's Speech, said BookFinder.

From guardian.co.uk

German Magazines: OK!

The current issue of the German version of OK! magazine (25 August issue) features pictures of Madonna and Brahim on holiday in France earlier this month - click on the image to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

More Madonna stencil art in London

Artist Pegasus has left his Madonna-mark on the streets of London again, this time near Russell Square in central London.

Visit Pegasus' page at www.facebook.com/Pegasus-Street-Artist

Madonna in France

Fans can view lots of pictures of Madonna enjoying a holiday in France before starting to promote W.E. at the film festival circuit:

Madonna and family at Eden Roc, France - Part 1

Madonna and family at Eden Roc, France - Part 2

Madonna and Brahim dining at The Colombe D'Or at Eden Roc, France

My favourite album: Like a Prayer by Madonna

Continuing the series in which Guardian and Observer writers pick their favourite albums – Hadley Freeman cherishes Madonna's Like a Prayer:

For the record, my nearly favourite album is Discovery by Daft Punk. But after sending my 15th email in one hour debating the merits between that one and this one to the beleaguered editor of this website (oddly, he stopped replying after my seventh email), I caught my reflection in the mirror, hairbrush in front of mouth, and thought, who am I kidding? I'm a woman in her 30s – of course my favourite album is Like a Prayer. Bog off, era-defining dance music auteurs and crank up Cherish.

To read the rest of the article visit guardian.co.uk/music/like-prayer-madonna

Thanks to Giannis

Madonna quote at Nobu restaurant

A picture of a quote from Madonna is used to advertise the new Nobu restaurant that is coming soon at Caesars Palace Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

Thanks to Jonathan

Billboard: Best MTV VMA Performances - Results

In celebration of the 2011 MTV VMA's, Billboard.com recently asked it's readers to vote what they thought were the best VMA performances of all time.

Well, the results have now been published. To the surprise of no one the Queen of Pop 'Madonna' has two of her performances rank in the top 10!

First was her 1990 'Vogue' performance that came in #6:
'Talk about a cultural mashup: Madonna and co., clad in 18th century Marie Antoinette garb, taught the world how to Vogue, a performance style popularized in underground gay dance clubs of the '80s. Cue in one incredibly animated pants-less dancer, and VMA magic is made.'

Next was the 2003 Madonna 20th Anniversary performance, that came in at #4:
'The Madonna-Britney kiss! Could we talk about anything else the day after the 2003 VMAs? And poor Christina, the camera cutting away as her and Madge lip-locked. The memorable medley kicked off with Britney and Christina Aguilera paying homage to Madonna's infamous 'Like a Virgin' performance at the 1984 VMAs, topped off with Madonna - dressed as a groom - performing 'Hollywood.' But let's be real, the kiss was all that really mattered to the masses.'

For the full story visit billboard.com/mtv-vmas-10-best-performances-ever-poll

Thanks to Micheal

VMAs Gone Wild: Cat Reenacts Madonna's Like A Virgin

Who could forget Madonna's legendary 1984 VMA performance of 'Like A Virgin'? You remember: the one where she dressed up like a randy bride in a Boy Toy belt and a wedding dress that felt more like the underpinnings of a regular wedding dress and then proceeded to lay down and consummate her marital relationship with the stage.
What does Madonna's VMA performance have to with a cat? Not much, but everything has to do with cats when you blatantly get a cat involved. Which is why we - the same people who brought you dogs dressed like Cher and Lady Gaga in her VMA meat dress - called upon a gifted cat name Mona to dress up like a cat version of Madonna and recreate Her Madgesty's iconic 'Like A Virgin' VMA performance - cat-sized wedding cake and all - in today's VMA animal reenactment.

To read the full story and view the clip visit buzzworthy.mtv.com (for the US) and www.mtv.co.uk/events/vmas (for the UK).

Thanks to Francis

Liz Smith on a new tour and new dancers

Although some of Madonna’s admirers would prefer it if the pop icon didn’t run herself ragged on another world concert tour, that is exactly what she will be doing next year. M is recording songs for a new album and the concert will follow. Well, I suppose you can’t blame her. The last tour was the highest-grossing tour for a solo artist - ever. It was somewhere in the $400 millions. And a girl can never have too many millions.
Madonna has teamed with Smirnoff to hold a 'global dance competition.' The winner will join the star’s troupe as they all writhe and grind their way around the world. This is the first time Madonna has chosen a dancer this way. Well, there has to be a first time for everything and everyone, even Madonna.
She’ll choose her other dancers as she always has in the past.

From www.wowowow.com/liz-smith - thanks to Alex

Madonna and Brahim in France

Madonna and Brahim Zaibat were pictured boarding a small plane at the airport in Biarritz, France on Sunday 21 August.

Picture from AP/Bob Edme Via Yahoo! News

Books: Put the Needle on the Record

madonnalicious reader Matthew Chojnacki contacted us to let fans know about his new book:

I recently wrote an '80s cover art book called Put the Needle on the Record, with a foreword by Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters) and an afterword by Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran). It will be released on Sunday 28 August.

It chronicles 7" and 12" single cover artwork from the 1980s (and Madonna is the most featured of any artist), and I interviewed over 125 musicians and cover artists to get the stories behind the images....everyone from Annie Lennox to Gary Numan.

The book is available for pre-order at Amazon - UK or Amazon - US

Here is a look at the cover and an exclusive sneak-peek at the Like A Prayer page:

UK Magazines: Grazia

The 15 August issue of the UK version of Grazia magazine featured this two-page article about Madonna's forthcoming W.E. film - click on the images to enlarge.

Mr Brainwash Madonna art in London

madonnalicious reader Sebastien spotted this Mr Brainwash Madonna Celebration-style artwork on display at the Opera Gallery in London's Mayfair.

Oakenfold: Madonna works 'tirelessly' in the studio

Madonna is 'easy' to collaborate with and 'works tirelessly in the studio,' according to Paul Oakenfold.
The DJ produced Madonna's 2009 single 'Celebration', and said she was anything but a diva to record with.
He told altsounds.com: 'Madonna was without doubt one of the best artists I have ever worked with. She had so many fantastic ideas and really took her music seriously.'
'You can tell that with Madonna, everything is about the music. She's a global name but still works tirelessly in the studio, puts on her best possible live gigs and puts 100 per cent into everything she does. She's really grounded too and easy to work with.'

From contactmusic.com

Events: Mexico City Madonna Birthday Party

The Smirnoff Co. Partners With Madonna For Nightlife

The Smirnoff Co. today launches the next Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project with the audacious goal of getting 10 million people to discover, share and swap the most original nightlife experiences in 50 countries. The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project is an ambitious attempt to discover the world's most unique and interesting nightlife, culminating in one-of-a-kind experiences on the same night all over the world. This year, Madonna joins the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project to find the best dancer to join her next tour.

Revellers worldwide are invited to co-create and participate in the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project by contributing ideas on what makes their local nightlife distinct in the categories of drinks, dance, fashion, music, places, and more creating a nightlife cocktail of unique events. The most inspiring suggestions from each region will be captured online and then exchanged with another country in November. By participating online, fans will have the chance to win a place at one of the global events or experience another country's party at a Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project event in their own city.
Go to facebook.com/smirnoff or facebook.com/madonna to find out more.

One of the consistent aspects in nightlife culture around the world is the importance of dance. As well as submitting ideas on what makes their country's nightlife special, fans can enter an exclusive dance competition online. Madonna will attend one of the selected Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project experiences where finalists will compete in front of her for the winning spot. The winner may get the opportunity to join Madonna on her next tour as one of her dancers.

'What attracted me to the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project is the combination of participating in the celebration of nightlife around the world and the opportunity to discover the world's best unknown dancers,' said Madonna. 'The best dancers are always in the clubs looking for the most original experience, just like Smirnoff is doing.'

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project strives to showcase, mix and unite the world through unique nightlife and as such the best dancers from around the world will be highlighted for their own style and flair. The submission process for the dance competition begins today and runs until October 10th. To enter, hopefuls must submit a 60-second dance video. For details on the dance submission process and terms and conditions, visit smirnoff.com or madonna.com

Simon Burch, Global Brand Director for The Smirnoff Co., said, 'Smirnoff mixes original nightlife from around the world and gives everyone the chance to be there through extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences. Who better to decide the best in the dance category than Madonna herself?'

The 50 countries participating in the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project include: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela and Vietnam.

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, including the exclusive dance competition, is the first component of a multi-faceted agreement between Madonna and her partner Live Nation and Diageo, the parent company of The Smirnoff Co. More details to be released in the coming months.

From Madonna.com

Events: Madonna Birthday Party in Bangkok

Vote: Billboard - Best VMA Performance Ever

Billboard.com now want to know What's The Best VMA Performance Ever? in an online poll being run to celebrate the annual MTV awards event.

Voting closes on Tuesday 23 August and Billboard.com will announce the top ten results. Fans can vote for three Madonna options:

1984 - Like A Virgin
1990 - Vogue
2003 - Like A Virgin/Hollywood (with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera)

To vote for Madonna visit billboard.com/poll-best-mtv-vmas-performance-ever

If you only vote for one - make it Vogue - surely the most iconic and amazing performance EVER!

Thanks to *Tia

Madonna stencil art in North London

madonnalicious received this picture of a mural done in North London in honour of Madonna's birthday:

I am a street artist named Pegasus and I have done a Madonna Stencil in North London...please take a look! I am a huge M fan and this was done on the eve of her birthday...just for her!

Visit Pegasus' page at www.facebook.com/Pegasus-Street-Artist

Madonna's birthday message to fans

Madonna left this message at Madonna.com thanking fans for their birthday wishes:

'Thanks for all the birthday love! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world today!'

Vote: Four MTV VMA Polls

Fans can vote for Madonna in FOUR categories in an online poll being run at MTV:

Most Iconic VMA Performance (1984 Like A Virgin)
newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/most-iconic-vma-moments

Most Outrageous VMA Moment (Madonna-Britney-Christina kiss)
newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/most-outrageous-vma-moments

Best Pop Performance (Vogue)
newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/best-vma-pop-performance

Best 'Video of the Year' of the 1990's (Ray Of Light)
newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/12/best-video-vma-1990s

Polls close Wednesday 24 August, so vote now and vote often!
Results will be announced in the lead-up to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, which air live from Los Angeles on Sunday 28 August at 9:00PM on MTV.

Thanks to Miguel

Events: Chicago Birthday Parties

Madonna's birthday weekend on the beach

Madonna spent the weekend in the Hamptons with Brahim Zaibat before jetting back into London with her family today. To see the pictures visit Mail Online

Happy Birthday Madonna!

madonnalicious and all our readers wish Madonna a very happy birthday today!

Leave your birthday message for Madonna by hitting the 'Comments' button!

UK Magazines: Vanity Fair

The September 2011 issue of Vanity Fair magazine has started the W.E. buzz taking a look at the costumes designed by Arianne Phillips for the film.

James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough are photographed by Tom Munro for the magazine. Click on the images to enlarge.

More pictures from that photoshoot can be viewed online at www.vanityfair.com

Thanks to Alex

Madonna by Abbie Cornish

W.E. actress Abbie Cornish spoke to the Mail Online about working with Madonna:

Madonna’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever come across.
You need to be totally switched on to the news and current affairs to talk to her - she asks you questions all the time and expects you to be up on everything that’s going on, from Libya to the latest advances in technology. Her mind never stops working. She’s also very funny. She tells a lot of good jokes. She is one of the coolest women on the planet.
I didn’t know what to think when I met her but she was everything you expect and don’t expect at the same time. The biggest thing that surprised me about her was how much she includes you in her life and her family when you work with her. I hung out with the children and we’d talk about everything from shoes to the state of the world.
My most surreal memory of working with Madonna is the stylish way she finishes a shoot - with a Cosmopolitan.
Standing next to her after a day’s shoot and drinking a Cosmo - I mean, it doesn’t get better than that. Even though we’ve finished filming we still keep in touch. I have her email address and we send messages. Madonna likes to email.

Events: New York City - Kylie Vs Madonna

Vote: Most Iconic VMA Performance Ever

Every year the MTV Video Music Awards feature some of the biggest and most memorable performances from all of your favorite artists.
Less formal than the Grammy Awards, the VMAs give artists the opportunity to let their hair down and really go out on a limb to put on some of the most daring and exciting performances of their careers. Simply put, you’re not going to see a blood-soaked Lady Gaga dangling above the stage or a wedding dress-clad Madonna climbing down a cake and rolling on the floor anywhere else.
But Madonna’s star-making turn at the inaugural VMAs and Gaga’s electrifying take on 'Paparazzi' are just two of the most iconic moments in VMA performance history. Who can forget when Sting joined Diddy, Faith Evans and 112 to pay tribute to Notorious B.I.G. with 'I’ll Be Missing You' in 1997, or when Eminem surrounded himself with lookalikes to perform 'The Real Slim Shady' in 2000?
Narrowing down all of the classic VMA performances to a short list of the most iconic was a major task, but we think we’ve singled out the ten most unforgettable performances in VMA history. Now it’s your turn to tell us which performance is the Most Iconic VMA Performance Ever.

To vote for Madonna's iconic VMA performance visit newsroom.mtv.com

Polls close Wednesday 24 August, so vote now and vote often!
Results will be announced in the lead-up to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, which air live from Los Angeles on Sunday 28 August at 9:00PM on MTV.

Thanks to ljh

Events: Madonna Birthday Tribute in New York City

Venue: Bowery Electric
Event: Mobile Mondays 80's Night & Madonna Bday Tribute 8/15
Address: 327 Bowery @ 2nd street in New York City
Date: 15 August 2011 8pm-1am
Prices: Free for Fly girls & guys
Telephone # of Venue: # 212-228-0228
Website: www.theboweryelectric.com
List of DJ’s: Operator Emz, Joey C, Natasha Diggs

Madonna's daughter Lola discusses fashion line

Even though she's got her own fashion line, Lourdes Leon - better known to the masses as Lola, the daughter of Madonna - admits that she had a lot to learn when she first launched the Material Girl brand.
'It was really hard at first because I didn't know what I was doing,' Lola, dressed in a tank top and jean cutoffs, said in a recent interview. 'I was like, 'You know, not a lot of people wear this. Let me just wear it.' It wasn't even that it looked good on me. I was just like, 'Let me do this because not a lot of people are doing it.' Now I feel like I can follow fashion a lot better than I used to, but also have some of my own take on it.'
Her learning curve is understandable: After all, she's just 14. But she's already a fashion star with Material Girl, which is geared toward teens and sold at Macy's Inc. stores. The line, which she launched with her mother last year, is now branching out into cosmetics, undergarments and nail polish.
Through laughs and typical teenager banter, Lola talked about her vision for Material Girl, her mom and fashion dos and don'ts.

AP: It's been a year since your clothing line launched. What have you learned about fashion over the past 12 months?
Lola: I learned a lot of things that I shouldn't wear or do. Like don't wear white to school, because then stuff gets dirty really fast. I don't think you should wear shorts that are too small and I don't think you should wear shorts that are too big either because I find myself looking really awkward. It takes me a really long time to find the perfect pair of shorts. I like the ones you can pull up to your bellybutton almost, which makes it look extra weird and retro.
AP: Your mom once told me that the two of you don't always agree on designs.
Lola: Absolutely. Every day....I will be like, 'Mom, you can't wear that.' Or she will be like, 'Lola, you can't wear that.' A lot of the time we don't listen to each other, but sometimes we do.
AP: When it comes to designing Material Girl, who wins out?
Lola: Me. I have to tell her, 'Mom, it is the in thing. This is what kids are doing now. If you don't do this, then it is going to suck.' And then she usually gives in.
AP: Do you go to your mom's closet for inspiration?
Lola: Her closet is huge. All the time. I am always in there and if no one knows where I am in the house, it is usually my mom's closet and I am usually taking something without asking her. She gets mad at me.
AP: How does it feel to have a clothing line at such a young age?
Lola: It is really cool, and also it is a lot of fun to know that my friends enjoy it, and to know that a lot of people enjoy it because it is also a lot of what I like. My friends have great style. I go to an arts school, so a lot of them are really artistic and passionate about a lot of things that inspire what they wear.
AP: Advice time. What is your idea of a fashion faux pas?
Lola: Don't wear white. I am all for crop tops, but I don't like it when people wear crop tops that are excessively cropped. Really, don't be a skank with your crop top. I think boots are always a 'go-to,' no matter what you are wearing, but you always have to make sure they don't cut off your leg because that is not right. When you are wearing heels, it is more comfortable to walk in platforms. Platforms always look good and they are more comfortable to wear and they make you look way taller. I used to do this a lot, but the hippie bands around your head are very out. Don't ever wear that again.
AP: Your line has expanded to include nail polish and undergarments. What is your ultimate vision for the collection?
Lola: I think it has continued to evolve and now it is at a point where we have so much stuff that I use and that I think other people will really enjoy using, so I like it.

From AP Via Yahoo! News / Pictures from Material Girl

Events: London 2011 Birthday Party

Madonna’s London Birthday Party will be held at G-A-Y Late in Goslett Yard (next to Tottenham Court Road tubestation) on Saturday 13 August 2011, with doors opening at 2:00pm and the party celebrations going on until 10:00pm.

This is the 17th London Madonna Party, and as usual entry is FREE! The prize giveaways are free throughout the afternoon and evening – you just need to be in the venue at the time of the prize draws to WIN Madonna goodies.

For more information please visit www.madonnafanparty.co.uk OR facebook.com

Antonio Banderas was 'afraid' of Madonna's attentions

Antonio Banderas was terrified after finding out Madonna had him set in her sights, and refused to date the pop superstar because she was too 'powerful'.
The Material Girl famously flaunted her crush on the Spanish hunk in her outrageous 1991 documentary In Bed With Madonna, which saw her flirt with a shy Banderas at a party in Spain.
The actor admits he was a nervous wreck in Madonna's presence - because he couldn't speak English and didn't know how to fend her off.
He tells Harper's Bazaar, 'I couldn't speak English at the time. She said a lot of things at the table when we were having dinner - I couldn't understand s**t. I was just flipping out that I was sitting down close to Madonna. She was very famous already, and we were just local people.'
'It was kind of flattering when somebody said, 'She likes you, a lot.' I said, 'Oh, really? I've no idea what I should do about this. I mean, I'm married (to first wife, Ana Leza).' So, nothing happened.'
'I was afraid of it at the time, because she was a very powerful woman. I didn't want to be Madonna's boy. For good or for bad, I just wanted to have my own career.'
The pair went on to star in the 1996 movie musical Evita together.

From contactmusic.com

Events: A Madonna Odyssey

madonnalicious proudly presents 'A Madonna Odyssey' A charity benefit night in aid of Stonewall.

It's the biggest one by far! Now with a Pre-Madonna-Party at The Edge Bar, 11 Soho Square. 3pm! Showing ALL of Madonna's video hits and an exclusive screening of the ultra-rare Re-Invention Tour.

We are pulling out all the stops to re-invent the club experience with a one off cabaret extravaganza, a legendary DJ line-up, a documentary and there will be a casting couch for all who wanna audition, an amazing exhibition of never before seen memorabilia, original artworks and electric installations, an auction of ultra cherish-able items to raise money for Stonewall, a shop full of Goddess goodies - and a Secret goody bag for all attendee’s.
We will be showing the FULL uncut version of Robin Skouteris's 'Queen Of Pop' MEGAMIX' with well over 180,000 You Tube views! One of the world's best music and video producers and remixers.

Our amazing line-up will include all your fav’s Dusty O, Chrissy Darling, Terry-James Lynch, Vaniila lush, Mary Mac, Vicki Vivaciuos, Neil Prince, Tasty Tim, Roberto Raschella, Craig Jones, Dejay Kurt, Jelena Rozenko, Glen Charlston, Kizzy Black and David Robson.

£10 early bird tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Madonna-Odyssey

Tickets availble to buy in person from:

Clone Zone
64 Old Compton Street
London W1D 4UQ
020 7287 3530

Retro Bar
2 George Court
Strand
London, WC2N 6HH

The Edge Bar
11 Soho Square
London, W1D 3QE
020 7439 1313

VIP enquiries and reservations contact Punk:
[email protected]
020 7734 4004
www.punksoho.co.uk

Events: Madonna Birthday Bash

Osbourne on working with Madonna

Osbourne became the face of the popstar and her daughter Lourdes's fashion collection earlier this year.
She spoke to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show about the experience: 'I met Lourdes about two years ago and when they were asking for a new Material Girl they asked if I'd be interested. Before they even finished the sentence I said, 'Yes! That's the coolest thing ever!'
'But it's also very intimidating to work with somebody who is, in my eyes, the best of the best. To walk in the room and not be a complete nerd and fanning out. I sit there with a sweaty top lip having a panic attack the whole time like, 'Oh my God, when will this be over?!' Dabbing my lip because I'm so nervous!'
Osbourne added that she became great friends with Lourdes through wokring on the collection, describing the teenager as "unbelievably intelligent and smart".

From www.rte.ie

Vote: Queen of Pop

Yet another poll is being run online (this time by Univision Musica) to find out who is the Queen of Pop! This time they acknowledge that Madonna is the official Queen of Pop - but they want to know you is the 'actual' Queen of Pop.

So get voting to show that Madonna is the actual and official Queen of Pop - at the moment Madonna is in third place behind Britney and Lady Gaga!

musica.univision.com/encuesta-reina-pop-nueva-madonna-rihanna-lady-gaga - and click on the 'votar por tu artista favorita' to vote for Madonna.

Thanks to Fernando

Events: Dallas MadonnaRama

To celebrate Madonna’s birthday, JR.’s Bar & Grill is going all out with MadonnaRama. Playing all her hits all night long, this is for the true Madonna fans, which probably equals most gay men. Along with hits like 'Ray of Light' and 'Vogue,' on the speakers, the place will give away CDs, t-shirts and DVDs. However, if you get Swept Away, well, then, we’re sorry.

JR.’s Bar & Grill
3923 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, Texas
09:00pm

For more information visit PartyAtTheBlock.com

Madonna fan denies entering singer's home

A Madonna fan has denied breaking into her house and stealing energy drinks.
Grzegorz Matlok, 30, pleaded not guilty to three counts of burglary for allegedly breaking into the 'Holiday' singer's £10 million 10-bedroom mansion in Marylebone, London, and taking a can of Red Bull energy drink.
A court heard yesterday (03.08.11) how Matlok allegedly used a rope to climb to the balcony of the Georgian townhouse, broke in through a window, then entered the two next-door properties owned by the singer, who was in the US at the time of the incident.
Matlok was arrested on March 12, after being wrestled to the ground by bodyguards at the 52-year-old star's home after being found clutching several of her possessions.
A senior police source said at the time: 'Something dreadful has happened here. The security around the world's most famous pop star should be impregnable.'
Grzegorz was subsequently declared unfit for trial and sent for mental evaluation. Yesterday a judge remanded him in custody and fixed a trial date for September 12.
At the time of the break-in, Madonna - who has four children, Lourdes, 14, Rocco, 10, Mercy, six, and five-year-old David - was in Bay City, Michigan, paying her respects to her late 99-year-old grandmother, Elsie Mae Fortin, who had helped raise the singer and her five siblings after their mother died of breast cancer.

From contactmusic.com

Boy George 'offers' his songwriting services!

In a recent tweet singer Boy George cheekily offered his songwriting skills to Madonna and William Orbit:

'Madonna & William Orbit are recording in New York and and they haven't asked me to write some top lines & lyrics. Folly!'

William Orbit worked with Madonna on the W.E. soundtrack - so they may have been in the studio fine tuning that music - but who knows maybe that project went so well they decided to work on tracks for the new album too!

Thanks to Elisha

Madonna In Venice Like A Director

Liz Smith comments on Madonna's upcoming Venice Film Festival premiere in this new article published at www.wowowow.com/culture/liz-smith:

Next month, a whole lot of visitors will descend on Venice. Movie people, models, wannabes, has-beens, never-weres, probably a few athletes. If Venice is truly unlucky, reality TV creatures will go all gondola. And of course, the media will be there, in droves. These mostly agreeable people gather for the annual Venice Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 8th to the 18th.
I am especially interested in this year’s event. Fascinating films will be shown, in and out of competition, including Roman Polanski’s 'Carnage,' Andrea Arnold’s 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Wilde Salome' (directed by Al Pacino) and Abel Ferrara’s '4.44 The Last Day on Earth.'
But, the movie whose reception I am most anxious to hear about is 'W.E.,' directed by Madonna. This film weaves two corresponding tales - one about the kingdom-shaking romance of Duke and Duchess of Windsor; the other about a young modern woman, fascinated with the tale of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII. Nothing Madonna has ever done professionally - no album, no concert, no acting job - has consumed La Ciccone as has 'W.E.' She’s poured everything she’s got into the movie. To say it has been an exquisite labor of love would be vastly understating her effort, commitment and talents.
Aside from possibly a few of her four children and perhaps a gentleman to hold her hand, Madonna will surely be accompanied in Venice by Harvey Weinstein, whose company will release the movie, later this year. After 'W.E.' shows in Venice, it moves on to Toronto.
Some people might assume Madonna will be a little wistful in Venice, recalling the voluptuous girl, writhing along the fabled canals, in 1984’s classic video, 'Like a Virgin.'
But they’d be assuming incorrectly. Madonna never looks back. She is totally in the now and in the future. She probably doesn’t even remember the 1980’s anymore - that was another life; she was another person. And so were the rest of us. Remember the shock waves caused by a pop song with the word 'virgin' in the title?

Thanks to Alex

Vote: Worlds Greatest Dancer

UK-based music channel 4Music are running an online poll to find the 'worlds greatest dancer'. Madonna's Hung Up video is included in the list to chose from.

The voting closes on Friday 05 August. The most voted for videos will be played on 4Music on Friday 12 August 2011. You can vote as many times as you like!

To vote for Madonna visit www.4music.com/Worlds-Greatest-Dancers-vote